South Shields cat owner’s horror as lurchers maul her pet to death

Chris Maxwell

A heartbroken cat owner whose beloved pet was savaged to death by three off-the-lead lurchers is calling on dog owners to keep their animals under control.

Shell-shocked Charlene Harding witnessed three-year-old Alfie being mauled by the dogs after being hearing ‘blood-curdling screams’ coming from outside her Jarrow home.

Alfie was savaged by three lurchers.

The distraught 27-year-old called an emergency vet but her stricken pet died in her arms on his way to receiving treatment.

Miss Harding also had to seek medical treatment after one of the dogs bit her on the foot as she came to the aid of her pet.

Northumbria Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

She is now calling on dog owners to make sure their pets are on leads at all times and muzzled if necessary - and warned cat owners to remain on their guard.

I was just in complete shock. It could be a child next time.

Charlene Harding

She fears other animals or even a child could be at risk if action isn’t taken – both by owners and the police.

Miss Harding, who lives in Limecroft, Jarrow, with mother Sharron, 45 and sister Cortney, 23, said: “This is a quiet cul-de-sac and I didn’t think anything of letting Alfie out. I heard blood-curdling screams from outside and looked out of the window and saw three dogs with Alfie in their mouths, shaking him about, in a neighbours’ front garden.”

She added: “When I got to him. Alfie was still alive at this point. His back leg had been snapped and his tummy was bleeding. I was just in complete shock. It could be a child next time.

“I have set up a Facebook page which already has 150 members. I want to try to make sure other people don’t have to go through what I have. I can still hear his screams. I can’t sleep at night.”

Charlene Hardings cat Alfie was killed by three lurcher dogs.

She added: “I called the PDSA and he was taken for treatment but he couldn’t be saved.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said; “At 11.30pm on Saturday, July 23, police received a complaint about dogs being dangerously out of control in Limecroft, Jarrow.

“Officers are carrying out inquiries into the incident after the dogs attacked a cat and bit a 27-year-old woman.

“The woman did not suffer serious injuries as a result of the incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting the reference 1630 230716